Transport control device



March 8, 1966 w. M. DAVIS TRANSPORT CONTROL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 30, 1963 WIEBU/R M. DAVIS INVENTOR AGENT March 8, 1966 w. M. DAVIS TRANSPORT CONTROL DEVICE 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30, 1963 FIG. 4

United States Patent 3,239,217 TRANSPORT CQNTRGL DEVICE Wilbur M. Davis, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 312,512 9 Claims. (Cl. 271-56) This invention relates to the orientation control of transported elements and more particularly to a device for detecting whether an element having an orientation cut-out on its leading edge is properly oriented in its transport path and for preventing further transport of the device if it is improperly oriented.

There are many situations where an element is being transported under either manual or automatic control, to either a transducer for sensing some indicia recorded on the element or to a production machine to perform some physical operation on the element. Examples of the former would be a badge reader which determines the identity of a workman from his badge which he inserts therein or a time clock used in conjunction with a time card. An example of the latter would be any form of stamping or punching machine into which sheets are fed either manually or automatically to be operated upon. In nearly all of these instances it is essential that the element be properly oriented when it reaches the sensing or producing stations. If, for example, the badge is inserted into the badge reader upside down, an erroneous reading or perhaps no reading at all may be obtained. Similarly, if the sheet is improperly oriented when it is placed in the press, punch or stamping machine, the hole or stamp is placed at the wrong point on the sheet and the sheet ruined.

In the past, various electrical and electromechanical devices have been developed for detecting whether an element is properly oriented when it is about to be applied to a device for utilizing it and for preventing the element from being applied to the device if it is improperly oriented. While many of these devices have been relatively simple, the mere fact that they are electromechanical has meant that there is a continuous operating expense due to the consumption of electrical energy and a continuous maintenance expense due to the relatively short life of such electrical components as light bulbs used in photoelectric detecting devices, The initial cost of these devices has also been high.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a completely mechanical device for detecting whether an element is properly oriented in its transport path and for preventing further transport of the element if it is improperly oriented.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described above which is inexpensive to build, has no operating costs, and potentially no maintenance costs.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described above which is very simple and reliable.

In accordance with these objects, this invention provides a pivotally mounted lever having a first formation on it which is normally positioned to engage the leading edge of the element to prevent further movement thereof. The lever also has a second formation on it which is positioned relative to the first formation and to the transport path of the element to coact with the leading edge of the element to move the first formation out of the transport path when an element is properly oriented, thereby allowing the element to pass. In one embodiment of the invention, the second formation is an angled surface on the lever and the first formation is a flange on the angled sur- 3,232,217 Patented Mar. 8, 1966 face. When the element is properly oriented, the flange is moved out of the transport path through the orientation cut-out as the angled surface coacts with the leading edge of the element. In a second embodiment of the invention, the first and second formations are oppositely angled flanges which are properly positioned relative to each other to give the desired result.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying draw ings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 1, showing an element which is about to be passed by the device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line a-a in FIG. 1, showing an element which has been blocked by the device.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 13, the preferred embodiment of the invention has a flat element 10 such as a card or badge, hereinafter referred to as an element, being transported in the direction of arrow 12 in transport channel 16. The element has a cut-out 13 which is in the leading edge when the element is properly oriented. If this cutout is off-center, as it is shown in FIG. 1, the device may also be used to determine if the element has been put in upside down as well as to determine if the right edge has been inserted. Base 20 of transport channel 16 contains an opening 22 which is aligned with cut-out 1% when element 1th is properly oriented. A lever 24 pivotally supported by a pin 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3) projects through opening 22. Pin 25 is fixed to a support 28 which is shown fixed to the base 20. A coiled spring 39, one end of which bears against a pin 32 in support 28, normally biases lever 24 into the position shown in FIG. 3 with its upper surface resting against a pin 36. In its normal position, the lever 24 projects through opening 22 at an obtuse angle to base 20 of transport channel 16 and to oncoming element 10. Lever 24 has a flange which is oriented in a plane above and substantially parallel to the base 20 when the lever is in its normal position shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 shows how the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 operates to permit a properly oriented element 10 to pass on to a utilization device (not shown). In the normal position of lever 24, the fiange 40 is above the plane of the base 20 and in alignment with the cut-out 18. Record element Ill is moved along channel 15 until the leading edge 42 of the record element contacts the inclined portion of lever 24. At this time, flange 4. 0 is positioned over orientation cut-out 18. Continued movement of element 10 in the direction of arrow 12, causes lever 24 to be rotated in a clockwise direction against the pressure of spring 3%. The spring pressure is very slight so as to prevent damage to the leading edge of the element. As lever 24 rotates, flange 44 is moved down through cut-out 18 in element lit to a point below channel 16. The rotation of lever 24 is continued until the element 10 rides on top of lever 24 as it is moved on to its utilization device.

Element 10 may then pass out from the utilization end of channel 16 or, provided the trailing edge of element It has not passed lever 24, element 10 may be pulled back out through the same end of channel 16 that it was inserted into. The latter mode of operation would be the more likely one where, for example, the device was being used to assure proper orientation of a badge in a badge reader or a time card in a time clock.

FIG. 3 shows how the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 operates to prevent the passage of an improperly oriented element 10. Improper orientation may result from inserting the record element into channel 16 either upside down with cut-out edge 42 leading or with uncut edge 44 leading as shown in FIG. 3. Here, as before, element It) is moved through channel 16 until its leading edge (42 or 44) contacts the inclined portion of lever 24. However, when this occurs for an improperly oriented element, flange 40 is over a solid portion of the leading edge of the element rather than over the cut-out 18. Flange 40 therefore engages the leading edge of element and prevents the lever 24 from pivoting in a clock-wise direction out of transport channel 16. The jamming of element 10 in transport channel 16 indicates to the operator that the element is improperly oriented and that it should be removed and reinserted in proper orientation.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, element 10 has a rectangular slot near, but not at, the center of its leading edge. The shape and position of the slot are, however, in no way limitations on the invention. FIG. 4 shows how the device of this invention may be employed with a well-known tabulating card 10, having a corner-cut 50. It can be seen that the only modification of the device necessary to accommodate this type of card is to move opening 22 and lever 24 to one edge of transport channel 16 so as to position flange in line with corner-cut when a properly oriented element 10 is applied to transport channel 16. In FIG. 4, flange 40 is shown with its edge 52 cut at an angle so as to accommodate corner-cut 50. This may or may not be necessary, depending on the relative size of flange 40 and corner-cut 50.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 operates in an identical manner to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the lever has a slightly different configuration. In FIG. 5, element 10 is being transported in the direction of the arrow 62 in a transport channel 64, including a base 65 which channel is formed in frame 66. Lever 60 is pivotally connected above transport channel 64 by a pin 68 which is supported by projections 70 on frame 66. Lever 60 has a first flange 72 which projects into transport channel 64 at an obtuse angle to the direction of travel of element 10. Lever 60 also has a second flange 74 which extends into the transport channel 64 at an acute angle to the direction of travel of element 10. Flanges 72 and 74 are positioned in alignment with each other so that a straight leading edge of an element 10 will contact both of them simultaneously as shown in FIG. 5.

The operation of the device shown in FIG. 5 is substantially the same as that of the device shown in FIGS. 1-3. The weight of lever 60 is sufficient so that it is gravity-biased to a position with both flanges 72 and 74 in transport channel 64. If element 10 is properly oriented when applied to channel 64, flange 74 is under orientation cut-out 18 when leading edge 42 of element 10 contacts flange 72. Flange 72 is therefore able to coact with leading edge 42 to raise lever 60 out of transport channel 64, flange 74 being raised through orientation cut-out 18 during this operation. Element 10 then proceeds on to its utilization device with flanges 72 and 74 of lever 60 riding on its upper surface. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the element 10 may be removed, after being utilized, from the same end of channel 64 as it was inserted into, so long as the rear edge of the element does not pass flange 72, or, in the alternative, the element may be automatically carried past the utilization device and out the other end of channel 64.

If element 10 is improperly oriented when applied to channel 64, the leading edge 44 of element 10 engages flanges 72 and 74 simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 5, and the portion of element 10 over flange 74 prevents flange 72 from coacting with leading edge 44 to raise lever 60 out of transport path 64.

While in FIG. 1, the lever is shown as being spring biased into the transport channel and in FIG. 5 it is shown as being gravity-biased, it is to be understood that either of these methods of biasing may be used for a suitably oriented lever. It is also possible to use any other suitable method of biasing, as for example, using a lever which is itself made of a spring-like material.

While FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 being used to control the movement of a corner-cut element, it is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 could be similarly modified to accommodate such an element. This is done by moving flange 74 into a position in an alignment with the corner-cut, and if necessary, removing a corner of the flange.

In the discussion so far, no attempt has been made to indicate the nature of element 10. The embodiments f the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5 could be used in unmodified form to control the transport of any form of flat record member as for example, a punched card, a printed card, or a badge and could also be used to control the transport of any form of flat stock, whether it be paper, wood, metal, etc., to a punch, press, stamp, or any other similar machine. It is also possible to use the device of this invention either in unmodified form of by substituting a wedge for flange 40 or 74 to control the transport of thicker bodies having an orientation slot somewhere along their leading surface.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A transport control device for an element which may be either properly or improperly oriented comprising:

a transport path for said element;

mechanical means extending into said path for engaging the leading edge of the element to prevent further movement thereof;

and means adapted to coact with the leading edge of a properly oriented element to mechanically remove said mechanical means from the transport path of the element thereby allowing said element to pass.

2. A transport control device for an element which, when properly oriented, has an orientation cut-out at a predetermined position on its leading edge comprising:

a transport path for said element;

first mechanical means extending into said path for engaging the leading edge of said element to prevent further movement thereof;

and second mechanical means adapted to coact with the leading edge of said element to remove said first mechanical means from said transport path through the orientation cut-out of a properly oriented element.

3. A transport control device for an element which, when properly oriented, has an orientation cut-out at a predetermined position on its leading edge comprising:

a transport path for said element;

a lever pivotally mounted adjacent to said path;

a first formation on said lever positioned in said transport path so as to engage the leading edge of an improperly oriented element to prevent further movement thereof;

and a second formation on said lever positioned relative to said first formation and to said transport path to coact with the leading edge of said element to move said first formation out of said transport path when said element is properly oriented.

4. A device of the type described in claim 3 wherein said orientation cut-out is positioned off-center on the leading edge of said element.

5. A device of the type described in claim 3 wherein said orientation cut-out is a corner-cut.

6. A transport control device for elements having an orientation cut-out on their leading edge When properly oriented, comprising:

a transport path for said elements;

a pivotally mounted lever;

a surface on said lever angled so as to project into said transport path, said angled surface being adapted to coact with the leading edge of an element to move said lever out of said transport path;

and a flange in said lever positioned to engage the leading edge of the element to prevent further movement thereof, said flange being positioned relative to said cut-out on a properly oriented element and to said angled surface so as to be moved through said cut-out, out of the transport path of the element, by the coaction of said angled surface and said leading edge if the element is properly oriented.

7. A device of the type described in claim 6 wherein said orientation cut-out is a corner-cut.

S. A transport control device for elements having an orientation cut-out on their leading edge when properly oriented, comprising:

a transport path for said elements;

a lever having a portion pivotable into said transport path;

biasing means for normally positioning said lever with said portion protruding into said transport path and adapted to be pivoted out of said path by an element moved along said path;

and a flange on the portion of said lever protruding into said transport path, said flange being positioned in line with said orientation cut-out when said element is properly oriented in said transport path to permit further transport of said element and being positioned to engage an uncut portion of the leading edge of an improperly oriented element to prevent further movement of said element.

9. A device for permitting further transport of a properly oriented element having an orientation cut-out in a predetermined position on its leading edge and for preventing further transport of an improperly oriented element comprising:

a transport path for said element;

a lever;

an angled surface on said lever, said angled surface projecting into said transport path;

a flange formed on said angled surface;

said angled surface being angled so as to coact with an uncut portion of the leading edge of said element to move said surface out of said transport path;

said flange being angled to engage an uncut portion of the leading edge of said element;

and said flange being positioned on said angled surface so that the leading edge of an improperly oriented element engages said flange before engaging said angled surface and prevents further movement of said element, whereas with a properly oriented element, said flange is moved through the orientation cut-out in the element as said angled surface coacts with the leading edge to move said lever out of said transport path.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS M. HENSON WOOD, J12, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TRANSPORT CONTROL DEVICE FOR AN ELEMENT WHICH MAY BE EITHER PROPERLY ORIENTED COMPRISING: A TRANSPORT PATH FOR SAID ELEMENT; MECHANICAL MEANS EXTENDING INTO SAID PATH FOR ENGAGING THE LEADING EDGE OF THE ELEMENT TO PREVENT FURTHER MOVEMENT THEREOF; 